A Tyneside woman today welcomed a police U-turn on the use of black box recorders on police cars.

Black boxes, similar to those which monitor the control of planes to help show what went wrong if they crash, can now be fitted to ordinary vehicles.

Northumbria Police today announced it would be carrying out a series of trials using the data recorders on its patrol vehicles.

Christine Murphy's brother, John Todd, was knocked down and killed by a police rapid response vehicle.

She said: "I'm glad Northumbria Police has finally taken action.

"They have always said they wouldn't consider black boxes. I was beginning to think it would never happen.

"I hope these trials are extended. If police drivers knew their actions were being monitored, they would drive much more carefully."

The move by Northumbria Police comes after insurance firm Norwich Union said it was considering giving black boxes to its customers. The data recorders will be attached to the engine and will log how often a car is used and at what times of the day.

Norwich Union says the black boxes will be used in a Pay As You Drive scheme to cut premiums for low mileage drivers as part of a scheme involving 5,000 drivers launched later this year.

PC Ian Graham, 26, was cleared at Newcastle Crown Court of causing death by dangerous driving following the accident in which Mr Todd died in 1997.

The PC's Ford Mondeo was answering a priority call when he pulled out on to the wrong side of the road and struck Mr Todd, 39, as he walked home through Concord Village in Washington.

Mrs Murphy, 49, a retired teacher, of Highworth Drive, Springwell Village, Gateshead, had written to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Home Secretary Jack Straw and other MPs in a bid to highlight her campaign.

Northumbria assistant chief constable David Walkup said: "At the end of this trial, evaluations will take place and a decision taken about further use. We aim as always to improve police driver safety."